Chapter 602
The intermittent sound of Natalie’s crying came from the phone. Her restrained sobs tugged at Skylar’s heart.
“Nath?” Skylar waited patiently for Natalie to calm down.
After a while, Natalie finally spoke. “Skye, I’m going to resign.”
Skylar knew how much Natalie loved her job. She asked, “Why the sudden decision to quit?”
“Jeremy is a bastard! He went after Mr. Powell.”
“Have you talked to Jeremy?” Skylar asked, furrowing her brows.
Natalie’s tone remained calm. “I just left his office. I tried to reason with him, but he wouldn’t listen. Don’t worry about me. I’m going to find Mr. Powell now.”
“Take care of yourself.”
“Okay.”
Natalie sat by the roadside. When she got up, she felt a bit dizzy. It was likely because she had cried for too long. She hailed a cab, and while on the road, Kate suddenly called.
“Mom?”
Since learning about Jeremy’s affair, Natalie hadn’t called home. Perhaps it was a subconscious fear. She wanted to escape. Besides, she wasn’t sure how to explain it to her parents.
“I fought with your father today, so I’m coming over to stay at your place for a few days. I could use the opportunity to take care of you as well. What’s been going on with you lately? Why haven’t you been coming home to visit us?” Kate said in a flurry.
Chapter 60
Natalie bit her lip. “Mom, it’s not convenient right now. Dad will calm you down soon, and I can look after myself. I’ve been very busy lately, going on a lot of business trips. I’ll come visit you and Dad once. things settle down.”
“I’m at your place. No matter how busy you are, you still need to come. home and rest in Jipsburg City at night, right? I’ve cooked dinner, and I’m waiting for you. I called Jeremy, and he agreed to let me come over,” Kate said, not giving Natalie a chance to refuse further before hanging up.
Natalie felt anxious and frustrated. She tried to call Kate back, but
she didn’t answer.
Staring out at the familiar streets, Natalie had never felt so lost.
During Skylar’s lunch break, she received a message from Paul.
“Mrs. Martin, Mr. Martin is very busy today, so he asked me to book a restaurant. I’m sending you the address.”
The message was followed by a location pin for a restaurant.
Looking at the restaurant’s location, Skylar felt dazed. Then she realized that when Joe was with her, he would accommodate her eating habits.
Some details she had overlooked before now seemed significant.
It dawned on her that Joe was not as indifferent as she had initially thought.
Over the past few days, they had been getting along well at home. They had deliberately avoided discussing certain topics and had chosen not to bring them up.
As she was lost in thought, Edgar called. “Mrs. Martin, Mrs. Martin
Chapte’s b
Senior asked me to inform you not to come to Pearlhall Residence today. She suggested that you and Mr. Martin celebrate his birthday
on your own.”
In previous years, Joe’s birthday had always been celebrated with Gloria at the Pearlhall Residence.
Gloria wanted Joe and Skylar to enjoy a more intimate celebration this year.
“His birthday?” Skylar responded reflexively, then suddenly
remembered something.
She remembered that today was indeed Joe’s birthday. She had seen his identity card number when they got their marriage certificate.
“Yes, today is Mr. Martin’s birthday,” Edgar said. He worried that their relationship hadn’t made much progress.
Chapter 603
Edgar felt concerned when he realized that Joe hadn’t mentioned his birthday to Skylar
After a moment, Edgar sighed again. “Mr. Martin is rather pitiful. He’s only celebrated with Mrs. Martin Senior. But this year, you’ll be with him.”
It was indeed a heart–wrenching story. Edgar felt quite clever for his insight.
Skylar replied, “We have a reservation tonight. Thanks for the reminder, Edgar. We won’t see Mrs. Martin Senior tonight, then.
Π
After ending the call, Skylar chose a gift at the mall across the street during her lunch break.
The mall was filled with a dazzling array of items–men’s clothing, bags, and more. She was at a loss about what to get Joe for his birthday.
She might have had more time to select something thoughtful if she had known two days in advance.
Joe’s clothing was all custom–made. Suddenly, she spotted a pair of matching couple’s loungewear in the display. The Joungewear featured adorable deer embroidery on the front.
She wondered what it would be like if she and Joe wore matching loungewear at home. In fact, she wondered what Joel would look like in such loungewear. It was hard to imagine, so
Skylar bought it on a whim.
Since loungewear couldn’t serve as the main birthday gift, she
also bought a ring that could be engraved on the spot. She chose a design featuring a flower symbolizing safety and engraved ‘Happy Birthday‘ on it.
The craftsmanship of the jeweler was impressive. The drawing
was almost identical to the one she had made.
The gift wasn’t expensive, but it was heartfelt.
Natalie returned to the studio. Everyone else had been given a day off by Austin. Only Austin and Hank were present.
“Sorry, Mr. Powell, Hank. I’m here to resign.”
Natalie had prepared a lot to say. However, when the time came, she found herself at a loss. The resignation sounded very awkward as it came out
“Resign?” Hank immediately looked at Austin
Austin’s cold and serious face revealed a hint of
profoundness. “Natalie, I’ve said that his blacklist won’t affect me. This matter will be resolved in time. You don’t need to resign out of guilt.”
Austin wondered what Jeremy had said to Natalie after her visit. He had turned a bright woman like her into someone so downcast
Hank wasn’t sure where Austin’s confidence came from. But over the past two years, he had sensed that Austin seemed to
Skylar bought it on a whim.
Since loungewear couldn’t serve as the main birthday gift, she also bought a ring that could be engraved on the spot. She chose a design featuring a flower symbolizing safety and engraved “Happy Birthday” on it.
The craftsmanship of the jeweler was impressive. The drawing was almost identical to the one she had made.
The gift wasn’t expensive, but it was heartfelt.
Natalie returned to the studio. Everyone else had been given a day off by Austin. Only Austin and Hank were present.
“Sorry, Mr. Powell, Hank. I’m here to resign.”
Natalie had prepared a lot to say. However, when the time came, she found herself at a loss. The resignation sounded very awkward as it came out.
“Resign?” Hank immediately looked at Austin.
Austin’s cold and serious face revealed a hint of
profoundness. “Natalie, I’ve said that his blacklist won’t affect me. This matter will be resolved in time. You don’t need to resign out of guilt.”
Austin wondered what Jeremy had said to Natalie after her visit. He had turned a bright woman like her into someone so
downcast.
Hank wasn’t sure where Austin’s confidence came from. But over the past two years, he had sensed that Austin seemed to
be hiding a secret that had been kept for over a decade.
Even Austin couldn’t guess what it was, but he felt there were subtle hints of it.
“Listen to Mr. Powell. There’s no need to resign. Mr. Powell is taking a break right now. Besides, if you leave now, it could affect his performance at upcoming events abroad,” Hank said; trying to persuade her.
Hank thought, “One shouldn’t fear power, right?”
Natalie stared at the two people in front of her. “Mr. Powell, if I stay, no one in the industry here will dare to cast you in a film.‘
To Austin, acting was everything. Without roles to play, it would be extremely unfair to him
“I can’t let your career suffer because of me. I can’t be that selfish. Besides, personal issues have already affected my work. I really shouldn’t stay. I’m truly sorry.”
Austin knew Natalie was determined to leave. After a moment of silence, he said, “I won’t accept your resignation, but you can take a month off. Use this month to sort out your issues. As for Hank and me, our careers will turn around within this month. You can come back then.”
“Yes, take a month off,” Hank immediately echoed.
He then sneaked a glance at Austin and mused over the statement. A month? Austin must be very confident to provide such a precise time frame.
Natalie could only agree. Besides, there was another
troublesome matter waiting for her next.
Chapter 604
After leaving the studio, Natalie went back to her apartment. She tried calling Kate repeatedly but received no answer.
She figured Kate must have sensed something. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have insisted so strongly on her return. This was indeed problematic.
Meanwhile, Jeremy came home early at Hughes Residence, before his usual time.
Kate had already arrived and was sitting in the living room, waiting for them to come back. She wasn’t surprised to see Jeremy come back early.
“Mom,” Jeremy greeted.
Kate sighed and looked at Jeremy, who was sitting across from her. “Have some water first. There are a few things I want
to ask you.”
Her phone was beside her. She had multiple missed calls from Natalie.
Jeremy took a few sips of water, then set down the glass and
looked at Kate.
“Is there something going on between you and Nath? Did she move out?” Kate asked directly.
She had seen Natalie living in her pre–marriage apartment, which Kate and Natalie’s father, Damon Jakeman, had
purchased. Natalie wouldn’t have moved out if nothing had
happened between her and Jeremy.
Natalie’s recent behavior had been off. She was adamant about going back to work.
Kate should have thought more deeply about the situation between Natalie and Jeremy then.
Natalie and Jeremy had grown up together, so Kate was confident in Jeremy’s character. She had trusted him wholeheartedly with Natalie.
However, Natalie and Jeremy seemed to have encountered some problems. As an observant elder, Kate knew she couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.
Jeremy nodded solemnly. He said, “Mom, there’s been a
problem between us. It’s my fault.”
“Your fault?” Kate stared at Jeremy, a sense of unease
creeping into her mind as she vaguely realized something was
wrong.
She knew Natalie well. If it weren’t something serious, Natalie
would never have moved out.
“A while ago, I had an affair with my secretary,” Jeremy
admitted honestly.
Kate’s expression changed as she stood up abruptly. She looked at Jeremy with disbelief. She thought she knew him well. “An affair? Jeremy, you had an affair? Nath only left home after discovering your affair, didn’t she?”
“Yes.”
コ
Kate staggered slightly. She felt dizzy. “Do you not love Nath anymore? How could you be so foolish? You know she has zero tolerance for this. Are you planning to divorce her? Or did you force her to move out?”
She ignored Natalie’s calls earlier, thinking it was just a minor disagreement between them. She had no idea Natalie was going through such a traumatic experience.
“Mom, there’s no excuse for my affair, but I don’t want to divorce Nath. If you trust me, please let me explain everything. I’ll tell you the whole story,” Jeremy said sincerely.
Kate’s head ached, and her eyes reddened as she looked at Jeremy. “Clarify the whole situation?”
If Jeremy didn’t want a divorce, then it meant Natalie did. Kate knew Natalie well enough to understand that she couldn’t tolerate such betrayal.
But she also wanted to know why Jeremy cheated. He once loved Natalie so deeply and promised to treat her well for the rest of his life. Yet, barely a year into their marriage, he betrayed her.
Meanwhile, Skylar arrived at the restaurant first. She had bought fresh flowers and balloons on the way and had hired someone to help with decorations.
The restaurant staff also helped out. What would normally take an hour to set up was done in just half an hour.
After the staff left, Skylar looked around and nodded in
approval. “Perfect birthday atmosphere,” she said.
Chapter 605
With half an hour left before the scheduled time, Skylar took the opportunity to sit down and relax. She checked her phone and noticed a missed call from Natalie ten minutes ago. The noise and music around her earlier must have drowned out the ringtone.
Skylar redialed, and after a few rings, Natalie answered.
“Nath, I didn’t hear my phone earlier,” Skylar began.
“Mr. Powell didn’t agree to my resignation. He’s given me a month off instead. I’m surprised he didn’t blame me and insisted I stay. I feel very guilty,” Natalie said quietly.
Her tone revealed her feelings of dejection.
“Is it ahead?” the cab driver suddenly asked Natalie.
Skylar heard the driver’s question and asked, “Nath, where are you?”
“Yes, it’s just up ahead,” Natalie replied to the driver first.
Then she put her phone back to her ear. “I’m in a cab heading back to the house Jeremy and I share. My mom is waiting there. There are things I can’t keep hidden any longer.
“I think it’s time to be honest with them. It might be better if both our parents knew about this. Maybe Jeremy and I can stop dragging this out.”
Skylar wasn’t sure how to advise Natalie on what decision to
make or how to proceed.
Ultimately, it was Natalie’s decision.
“I believe your parents will support whatever decision you make, Nath. Make sure to stay calm when you see Jeremy. Decisions made in a calm state of mind are less likely to be regretted,” Skylar advised gently.
Natalie forced a smile, trying to appear more relaxed. “I’ve
been thinking about it seriously I’m almost there, so I have to hang up. I’ll sort things out this month, and we can catch up later. Don’t worry about me.”
“I’m waiting downstairs.”
Joe, used to seeing others fear him, assumed that Charles was afraid of him. Given that Charles was Skylar’s brother, he subtly softened his demeanor. “ll cover the bill for your table.”
Skylar grinned. “I figured it out with a bit of calculation.”
She then revealed a delicate jewelry box from behind her back. “Here’s your birthday gift. I didn’t have much time to prepare, so it’s not perfect. I hope you don’t mind.”
Jeremy walked toward Natalie slowly; his feelings for her were evident in his eyes.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: My Flash Romance With the Richest Mogul